Andrew Fay
Andrew Fay is the Facilities Manager at CSC Global in Dublin, where he focuses on workplace operations across EMEA. After building extensive experience in Facilities Management since 2014, Andrew decided to pursue the MSc in Workplace and Facilities Management at Portobello Institute.
“Although I had extensive hands-on experience, I wanted to advance my strategic and academic understanding of FM, which inspired me to pursue a master’s degree.
He recognised that despite managing vendor relationships, sustainability initiatives, and health and safety compliance for international offices, he wanted to formalise his knowledge.
Coming Back to Education for a New Path Forward
With rapid developments in facilities management, Andrew realised that to keep progressing his career, he needed a deeper and more advanced knowledge.
“The FM industry is evolving rapidly, shaped by sustainability legislation, digital transformation, and new workplace models. I realised that to continue progressing, I needed a deeper understanding of strategic frameworks, leadership theory, and ESG integration.
“Studying at this stage of my career allowed me to step back, critically evaluate my work, and strengthen my ability to influence decision-making at a higher level.
“It was both a personal and professional investment to align my experience with emerging global standards in workplace and facilities management,” he said.
Andrew chose Portobello Institute due to its strong reputation for linking academic excellence with real-world relevance.
“I chose Portobello because of its strong reputation for combining academic excellence with real-world relevance.
“The lecturers are industry experts who bring genuine insights from practice, and the online learning structure provides flexibility without compromising on quality. I also valued Portobello’s connection to IWFM-accredited qualifications, which reinforces the course’s professional credibility.
“The MSc in Workplace and Facilities Management offered exactly what I was looking for: a balance of theory, research, and application that fits around a full-time professional schedule,” he said.
Following His Passion
For Andrew, Facilities Management has always been about more than just buildings; it is about enabling organisations to perform at their best.
He sees Facilities Management as essential for ensuring organisations contribute positively to the environment and community. This vision guides his focus on creating sustainable, safe, and people-centred workplaces.
“My passion lies in creating sustainable, safe, and people-centred workplaces.
“Facilities Management has always been about more than buildings for me; it’s about enabling organisations to perform at their best while contributing positively to the environment and community.
“I’m particularly passionate about integrating sustainability and ESG principles into FM strategy, ensuring that workplace operations actively support carbon reduction, wellbeing, and social value. Studying this course has deepened my understanding of how to translate that passion into tangible outcomes,” he said.
Time as a Student and Real-World Application
Andrew reflected on his journey at Portobello, where he successfully balanced advanced study with his full-time management role.
“My experience as a Portobello student has been both rewarding and transformative,” he said.
Although balancing study with the demands of a full-time management position was challenging, Andrew found that the flexibility and structure of the course made it achievable. He also felt highly supported throughout his studies, highlighting the positive impact of the teaching staff.
“Balancing study with a full-time management role was challenging, but the course structure made it achievable. The academic support, particularly from lecturers who understand the realities of working professionals, made a huge difference,” he said.
The course content was consistently relevant, leading to immediate application of new insights to projects within CSC. He credits the learning environment, which included collaborative peer discussions, for broadening his perspective on how Facilities Management strategies vary across industries.
“The best thing has been the direct connection between theory and practice. Every module offered tools and frameworks that I could apply in real time from strategic planning models to sustainability reporting. The content was consistently relevant to my work, and I found myself applying new insights immediately to projects within CSC.
“The collaborative learning environment and peer discussions also broadened my perspective, showing how FM strategies vary across industries,” he said.
During his studies, he played a key role in supporting CSC’s environmental disclosure reporting, enhancing ESG reporting processes with a focus on waste reduction and energy consumption across EMEA offices.
He noted that these major projects demonstrated how facilities management can drive operational excellence across multinational organisations.
“Developing a sustainability framework that has since influenced CSC’s global reporting standards,” he said.
Setting Up for a Successful Career
Reflecting on his studies, Andrew said the course offered exactly what he was looking for at this stage of his career.
“It was exactly the right fit. It aligned with my professional goals, expanded my strategic thinking, and gave me the academic grounding to match my practical experience. It’s been one of the most valuable investments in my professional development.
“This qualification has enhanced my strategic mindset and my ability to communicate at an executive level.
“It’s equipped me with the analytical and research skills to design data-driven ESG strategies and influence corporate decision-making.
“The blend of academic depth and professional application gives me a strong foundation for continued growth in leadership roles.
“Portobello provides a unique opportunity for professionals to develop academically while continuing to work,” he said.
This educational journey solidified his confidence to lead conversations around compliance, digital transformation, and strategic Facilities Management. The blend of academic depth and professional application provided him with a strong foundation for continued growth in leadership roles.
“The MSc has genuinely elevated my career outlook and confidence so much so that I’ve already recommended it to my team, with two of them now embarking on the IWFM course this semester. It’s rewarding to see others in my team benefiting from the same experience and professional growth,” he said.
If you are interested in studying Facilities Management at Portobello Institute, visit our faculty here.
